Title

Teaching English Learners

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A BILINGUAL AUTHORIZATION?

A bilingual authorization may be obtained by examination or by completion of a Commission-approved bilingual program. The bilingual authorization may be earned concurrently with or following the initial issuance of the candidate's prerequisite teaching Credential. Furthermore, approved program sponsors may elect to provide an option to satisfy program requirements through a combination of approved coursework and bilingual examination subtest(s).

Click here for a list of colleges or universities with Commission-approved teacher preparation programs.

I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON THE CALIFORNIA TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LEARNERS (CTEL) OR CSET:LANGUAGES OTHER THAN ENGLISH (LOTE) EXAMINATIONS

HOW LONG ARE EXAM SCORES VALID?

The final administration of the BCLAD examination was June 2007. Passing BCLAD exam scores are valid for certification for seven years.
The final administration of the CLAD examination was June 2006. Passing scores for the CLAD, CTEL and CSET:LOTE examinations are valid for certification for five years.

I NEED A COPY OF MY EXAM SCORES.

You must contact Evaluation Systems, Pearson to obtain copies of your score reports.

Evaluation Systems

Pearson

I HAVE A CREDENTIAL WITH AN EL AUTHORIZATION. HOW CAN I EARN A BILINGUAL AUTHORIZATION?

If you hold or qualify for an English learner authorization or CLAD certificate based on one of the following, you may obtain the bilingual authorization either by completion of a Commission-approved bilingual program at a California college or university or by passage of the appropriate CSET:LOTE examinations:

Multiple Subject or Single Subject Teaching Credential with a CLAD Emphasis

a Language Development Specialist (LDS) Certificate

a Teaching Credential with an English Learner Authorization based on AB 1059

passing scores on Test 1, 2 and 3 of the California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) Examination (scores used for certification purposes may be no older than five years from the individual passed test date)

Note: Teachers who hold a valid, non-emergency California Single Subject or Standard Secondary Teaching Credential with a major in a language other than English need not take Test II or III (depending on the language) of the CSET:LOTE Examinations to qualify for a bilingual authorization in that language. Teachers who hold a three-year or higher degree from a foreign institution in which all instruction is delivered in a language other than English also do not need to take Test II or III (depending on the language) to qualify for a bilingual authorization in that language. The foreign institution must be equivalent in status to a regionally-accredited institution of higher education in the United States.

WHAT DOCUMENTS SERVE AS A BASIC OR PREREQUISITE CREDENTIAL FOR A BILINGUAL AUTHORIZATION?

The following are appropriate prerequisite credentials and/or permits for the bilingual authorization:

California teaching credential issued based upon completion of a teacher preparation program, including student teaching

Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential with a Special Class Authorization

Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential with a Special Class Authorization

School Nurse Services Credential with a Special Teaching Authorization in Health

Children's Center Permit (excluding emergency), or Child Development Permit (excluding Assistant and Associate Permit) that authorizes the holder to provide instruction to pupils in preschool, grades K-12, or classes primarily organized for adults.

The following are not appropriate prerequisite credentials or permits:

Emergency Permits

Provisional Internship Permits

Short-Term Staff Permits

District Intern Credentials

University Intern Credentials

Exchange Credentials

Sojourn Certificated Employee Credentials

Services credentials that do not authorize instruction

I HAVE A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AUTHORIZATION: HOW DO I GET A BILINGUAL AUTHORIZATION ADDED TO MY TEACHING CREDENTIAL?

OR

I HAVE A BILINGUAL AUTHORIZATION (OR BCLAD CERTIFICATE): HOW DO I GET A CREDENTIAL TO TEACH A FOREIGN LANGUAGE?

Candidates with an Existing Credential-Streamlined Structure

(Examinations Route Only)

Additional Credential Desired

Required CSET: LOTE Subtests

Have a bilingual authorization, want to get a Foreign Language authorization*

I and II

Have a Foreign Language (LOTE) authorization, want to get a bilingual authorization**

IV and V

*Teachers with a bilingual authorization and a multiple subject credential will also need to take a 3-unit single subject pedagogy course

**Foreign Language credentialed teachers must also have an authorization to teach English learners in order to qualify for a bilingual authorization

I HAVE A BILINGUAL ENDORSEMENT ON MY OUT-OF-STATE TEACHING CREDENTIAL AND WOULD LIKE TO APPLY FOR A CALIFORNIA BILINGUAL AUTHORIZATION BASED ON EQUIVALENCY. HOW DO I APPLY?

At this time, there are no provisions in California Education Code or California Code of Regulations, Title 5 that allow for persons to apply directly for bilingual authorizations based on an out-of-state authorization.

If an individual has evidence of a full bilingual authorization from a state other than California and submits the information with the application packet, an EL authorization will be listed on the corresponding teaching credential.

Individuals may choose to contact a Commission-approved Bilingual Authorization program sponsor to have their out-of-state coursework reviewed for equivalency.